Mamdani reiterates ICC support after urging US to execute warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated his support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday, intensifying his call for the U.S. federal government to execute an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mamdani's remarks followed his previous public statements labeling Netanyahu a "war criminal" unwelcome in New York.

Mamdani addressed reporters, stating, "I call on the federal government to join the international criminal court and to execute both this warrant as well as any warrant the international criminal court holds." He acknowledged that he does not possess the legal authority to compel New York police to arrest Netanyahu, should the prime minister visit the city for the United Nations General Assembly in September. However, he emphasized that the federal government does have the power to enforce the warrant.

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I call on the federal government to join the international criminal court and to execute both this warrant as well as any warrant the international criminal court holds.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024. The charges include war crimes and crimes against humanity, specifically citing "starvation as a method of warfare, and … murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts" related to the conflict in Gaza. Neither the United States nor Israel are signatories to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, and the U.S. government has historically opposed the court. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently threatened to "dismantle" the ICC by pressuring other nations to withdraw their membership.

Mamdani concluded that his administration lacks the independent legal authority to enforce the warrant but placed the responsibility on the Trump administration. "It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant," he stated. "The federal government, however, does – and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant." Former President Trump has publicly stated that Netanyahu "will not be arrested" on U.S. soil, arguing that the Israeli prime minister is fighting against Iran and that Iranian leaders should be the ones arrested. Netanyahu's office has previously dismissed Mamdani's threats, suggesting the mayor is seeking to distract from his own issues and attack the leader of Israel.

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It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant. The federal government, however, does – and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant.